Zine Descriptions & Reviews

This blog post will be updated whenever a distro writes a description for one of my zines, or someone writes a review. If you've read my zine and would like to write something for me to post here, let me know - it would make me very happy!

Issue 4.

In my own words:This issue of my perzine is loosely based around lists of 4. I write about self-esteem, liking "old lady" things, bad habits, the joys of tea, going back on anti-depressants, things I like/dislike in books (as well as a longer list of my favourite books) & pets, amongst other rants & rambles. I wrote most of the zine on an old typewriter, some parts are handwritten & it's all made in cut & paste style with pretty and/or vintage images.A6 (quarter size), 40 pages, pretty text-heavy

*~*~*

Issue 3.

In my own words:Issue 3 is about the fine line between fact and fiction, not throwing things away, being pestered by dodgy men on public transport, (somewhat comically) failing at interviews, insomnia, the reality check of life after university and alternative menstrual products. It's part-handwritten, part-typed and made in a cut-and-paste style with lots of pretty backgrounds and vintage images.A6 (quarter size), 40 pages, pretty text-heavy

Fluxxii Distro:"Issue #3 of Not Lonely by Hannah from Scotland is about entering the real world after university - changing careers, the ever-so-tiring interview process, and separating reality from fantasy as she deals with nightmares and bipolar disorder. She also talks about alternative menstrual products and writes comically about a pestering man on the bus in a way that we can all relate to. Her various comments and asides that she inserts into her writing makes it seem as if we're actually conversing with Hannah as she tells us about her life with the perspective of a feminist and one who battles with depression.The zine is quarter sized, contains 40 pages, and is stapled. Hannah's zines are made using the traditional cut and paste photocopy method. She includes handwritten as well as typed pages."http://fluxxii.com/

Marching Stars Distro:"Very thought-provoking articles about the author’s experience of harassment on public transport (very rage inducing and something many of us can probably relate to), sleep difficulties, nightmares and the dream realm, nightmare interviews and the challenges of the job market, how confidence is so key to nailing aforementioned jobs and how hard it is to develop and the joys of the Mooncup and why everyone should have one."http://marchingstars.co.uk

Vampire Sushi Distro:"not lonely has quickly become one of my favourite new perzines. in issue three she writes about being pestered by creeps and other unpleasant encounters on public transport, not sleeping well, being a bit of a hoarder, an unsuccessful job interview and changing her choice of feminine hygiene product from tampons to the mooncup (sure that kinda sounds pretty TMI, but menstrual health is important and needs to be talked about! there be no shame in bleeding.)"http://www.vampiresushidistro.co.uk

*~*~*

Issue 2.

In my own words:Issue 2 is mostly about saying no to things most people say yes to. There are articles on the drinking scene and why I don't go to pubs/clubs and the personal and political reasons why my partner and I decided not to get married; as well a discussion of the ways I manage my mental health without medication and a nerdy article on my method of "getting into" new albums. It's part-typed, part-handwritten and made in a cut-and-paste style. A6 (quarter size), 40 pages, pretty text-heavy

Nichole/Jinked Blog:"I was reading this zine called Not Lonely. It’s from a girl out of Scotland who writes in a pleasant, conversational tone about some of the bigger choices she’s made in life, like choosing not to drink, not getting married to her partner despite social expectations, and dropping the bipolar meds from her daily routine.This was the last part of the zine, and the part that interested me most. One of the things she does to live a more balanced life, besides maintaining a regular sleep schedule, staying organized and recording her moods in a diary, is keep herself busy without taking on too much. A lofty goal, but it’s doable. I totally understand that need."http://jinked.net/self/forgetting-day-148/

Fluxxii Distro:

"Issue #2 of Not Lonely is a perzine by Hannah from Scotland that, in her own words, "is mostly about saying no to things most people say yes to." She writes about not going out in the drinking scene, not getting married, not taking medication, and other "nots" as she lives her life with a diagnosis of bipolar disorder. Although the zine is full of "nots," much of it is meant in a positive and friendly attitude. Her thoughts are very well articulated and backed up while she remains respectful of other people's decisions and lifestyles. She explains herself very well and gives great advice, dedicating several pages to how she deals wit her mental health issues without the help of medication.The zine is quarter sized, contains 40 pages, and is stapled. Hannah's zines are made using the traditional cut+paste and photocopy method and she includes handwritten as well as typed pages."http://fluxxii.com/

Catherine Elms/Here. In My Head. Blog:"In the second issue of her mental-health perzine, Hannah writes about a number of interesting topics, including not getting married and the feminist reasons behind that decision, and not going out dancing on a Friday night (something I’m writing about in Here. In My Head #6, and have written about in past issues). There’s also a very useful piece on how to cope with mental health issues without medication, and some discussion of her university life and coursework deadlines, etc. The article about not getting married was the most interesting for me to read, as an engaged feminist in a heterosexual relationship – I think Hannah is right about a lot of things, including the oppressive patriarchal implications of marriage, and the heteronormativity behind it all. The topics Hannah discusses are interesting, and she manages to write just enough to get you hooked without rambling or waffling (something I must admit I struggle with sometimes). A simple, clean layout, with typewritten and handwritten pages. Very nice indeed."http://blatantblithe.wordpress.com/2010/08/28/august-zine-reviews/

Marching Stars Distro:"Though new to the zine ‘scene’, Hannah’s second issue of Not Lonely does not disappoint. She tells the reader about ‘not going out’, drinking and acting foolish, her less than dramatic time on placement and my favourite section, not getting married! She writes from the heart and fills her pages with amazing words and cut & pasted images."http://marchingstars.co.uk

Vampire Sushi Distro:

"in this issue hannah writes about her dislike for the whole going out, getting pissed and having stereotypical drunk fun thing and feeling sort of weird but at the same time ok about it, being almost finished with her studies, her thoughts on marriage and people's expectations of her tying the knot because she's in a pretty long term monogamous relationship with a cismale, and some of her coping mechanisms for her mental health issues instead of medication."http://www.vampiresushidistro.co.uk

*~*~* Issue 1.

In my own words:Issue 1 contains: ramblings about the psychiatric medications I have taken and why I've decided not to take them any longer, what it feels like to have lived in 5 different places by the age of 25, how I always procrastinate instead of getting work done, how I never seem to say the right thing and a few other wee rants and thoughts.A6 (quarter size), 40 pages, pretty text-heavy

Tukru (Vampire Sushi Distro):"in her first zine in a very long time hannah writes about feeling somewhat rootless, procrastinating on her uni work, not working for a while, and not saying the right thing even though she now works helping people and seems to be pretty good at it too. she also writes extensively about her mental health issues and her history with psychiatric medication and treatment.she's had a few rough patches regarding her mental wellbeing in the past but she seems to be doing alright now *knock on wood* the writing is very relatable, and parts of it may be triggering as self harm is discussed."http://www.vampiresushidistro.co.uk

This Saturday Night Distro:"This zine is pretty much Hannah’s thoughts on everything, her experience with different medications, procrastinating on her college (uni) work, not feeling like she belongs, and self-harm. This is a great zine."http://thissaturdaynight.net

*** Please note: Issue One is CURRENTLY OUT OF PRINT (although you may be able to get copies via distros). This is mostly because it's a pest to put together as it's slightly smaller than quarter size and thus every page needs to be trimmed, and that takes ages, and I am lazy. I plan to reprint the zine in the next few months however so let me know if you are interested ***